As we were pulling together the idea for the Kentucky Waterman Series as a platform to expand the paddling community state-wide, bring paddlesports event to locations across the state, and reach out to new and experienced paddlers; one of our most ardent supporters of the concept was Pat Dour, owner of Southern Paddlesports; a performance paddlesports company based in Taylorsville, Kentucky. We are excited to be partnering with him to present the inaugural KWS season. Don’t know much about SP? Check out our profile.

Southern Paddlesports was started in 2016 after Dour raced in River City Paddlesports’ Mayor’s Cup 22-mile race at the 2015 Riverthon. The event showed Dour the need to find a newer and more efficient craft, one that would allow him to be even more competitive in future events. The yearn for more speed isn't something new to Dour, as he had already spent several years as a competitive cyclist and triathlete before transitioning to paddlesports.

With speed in mind, he sought out a performance paddlesports craft dealer, but could not find one within a reasonable distance from Louisville. Seeing the need for a nearby paddlesports shop and utilizing his pre-retirement life as a business director for a major chemical company, he founded Southern Paddlesports to provide high quality paddling equipment to the midwest and upper southeast. Near the home and alpaca farm he shares with his wife, Ellen in Taylorsville, Dour built a shop, to which he’s in the process of expanding with a larger showroom.

Since the start, Southern Paddlesports has worked hard to satisfy the need of its customers and provide sponsorships to several paddlesports initiatives, including: Riverthon: The Ohio River Challenge, the Big South Fork River Dash and EKI’s paddlesports gear inventory.

Southern Paddlesports’ product lines include those from Epic, Goodboy, Malone, Mocke, Motionize, NK SpeedCoach and Stellar products. Dour strives to be an inclusive dealer with serving the needs of individuals seeking gear for touring, camping, racing or fitness paddling.

Along with helping EKI make the Kentucky Waterman Series a reality, Southern Paddlesports has gone above and beyond by offering an Epic V5 as an end-of-season prize for one lucky racer who finishes at the top of the series. To qualify to win at the end of the season, racers will need to complete four races and finish the season as a top competitor in their various divisions. Also SP is giving away a V5 at the 4th Annual Taylorsville Lake Paddle Battle!